Implications of Jones performance and Benson's injury (3 Viewers)

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

Joe asked me about the "Benson/Jones Saga" moving forward, so I figured this deserved another thread.

This from today's Chicago Tribune:

Full story: http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...-home-headlines

"It's just a little sprain," said Benson, who had the leg immobilized after the game. "I don't know what happened. I just remember coming off the tackle in a bad way, falling sideways and someone (Cato June) diving in it. It hurts, especially to have that happen so early when you worked so hard to get here. Had I not got put out so early, it might have made a difference."

The loss changed the Bears' running game and prevented them from using the one-two punch of Benson and Thomas Jones that had been so effective in the postseason. Without Benson to wear down the Colts' defense as he did in the NFC championship game against the Saints, more pressure fell on Jones.

"Losing Cedric hurt us, but [Jones] ran well," Lovie Smith said. "We missed Cedric later in the ballgame. We never got into any rhythm running the football. You would like to think that having a runner like [benson] available to you would help, but he wasn't available."

The impact his loss had on the running game serves as a reminder how important Jones is to the Bears' big picture.

That will be a factor when trade rumors start heating up involving Jones, entering the final season of a contract scheduled to pay him $2.25 million.

Jones' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has a history of trying to negotiate contracts for players in the final year of their deals and nobody would be surprised if Jones wanted to do so.

The Bears invested $16 million in a signing bonus for Benson in 2005 and that has led to speculation he will be the featured back next season.

But a knee injury in the final game might give pause to some people at Halas Hall.

Has Jones, whose 52-yard run in the first quarter Sunday was the Bears' only big play from scrimmage in the first half, done enough the last two seasons to earn an extension? Can the Bears afford to risk going into next season counting heavily on Benson without Jones if concerns linger about Benson's second knee injury in two seasons?

The Bears have two months to answer those questions. But they had no answer Sunday when they needed a power-running component to set up Jones' shiftiness.

 

[gman8343]

I hear Benson just has an MCL sprain, and those heal in a few weeks. Jones played well yesterday, and Lovie Smith abandoned the running game in the second half for the most part - not sure why he's saying they never got into a rhythm running the football - they didn't run it, and that's the playcalling, not TJ's fault.

Be interesting to see what happens with Jones. Chicago would deal him in a second if a decent offer came along IMO - Benson/Peterson are a good backfield.

 

[ericttspikes]

I hear Benson just has an MCL sprain, and those heal in a few weeks. Jones played well yesterday, and Lovie Smith abandoned the running game in the second half for the most part - not sure why he's saying they never got into a rhythm running the football - they didn't run it, and that's the playcalling, not TJ's fault.Be interesting to see what happens with Jones. Chicago would deal him in a second if a decent offer came along IMO - Benson/Peterson are a good backfield.

I agree about Peterson, but where was he after Benson went down? I thought for sure he'd get some PT after losing Ced.

 

[zamboni]

I hear Benson just has an MCL sprain, and those heal in a few weeks. Jones played well yesterday, and Lovie Smith abandoned the running game in the second half for the most part - not sure why he's saying they never got into a rhythm running the football - they didn't run it, and that's the playcalling, not TJ's fault.Be interesting to see what happens with Jones. Chicago would deal him in a second if a decent offer came along IMO - Benson/Peterson are a good backfield.

I agree about Peterson, but where was he after Benson went down? I thought for sure he'd get some PT after losing Ced.

I'll defer to you as a Bears fan, but I would imagine Jones was the sole guy since he gives them the best chance at winning. And not just as a solid runner, but also a great receving option and blocking ability. With the team looking to get back to the SB, and TJ a very popular presence (unlike Benson), perhaps they won't want to deal TJ for these very reasons.

 

[Warhogs]

I don't think the superbowl injury will change what they are thinking with Jones(whatever that is). Today is the start of getting ready for a nw season and this injury is not severe enough for them to alter what they were thinking before the superbowl was played yesterday.

 

[Michael Fox Fan]

I don't think the superbowl injury will change what they are thinking with Jones(whatever that is). Today is the start of getting ready for a nw season and this injury is not severe enough for them to alter what they were thinking before the superbowl was played yesterday.

If Benson only has a sprained MCL, then his injury does nothing to change the Bears' plan. If Jones had gone out and rushed for 200 yards and 2 TDs, and basically single-handedly won the game, then maybe there would be something to talk about.Like it or not, the Bears will shop TJ and see if somebody offers a 2nd or 3rd round pick. Then hand the ball to Benson 20-25 times per game, and use Peterson to share 25-30% of the carries.

 

[BigA]

I agree TJ ran well yesterday but not well enough to win the game..We all can see what benson means to this team...peterson can play the role of TJ..benson deserves the shot next year. He's the better back..

 

[zamboni]

I agree TJ ran well yesterday but not well enough to win the game..We all can see what benson means to this team...peterson can play the role of TJ..benson deserves the shot next year. He's the better back..

It obviously took a lot more than TJ to win the game, and besides, he more than did his part.Maybe Benson can handle 25-30 carries a game, but can he also be an effective outlet for Grossman, and more importantly, block for Rex? Those latter attributes should not be underestimated, especially for a QB that needs all the help he can get.IMO, if they get rid of Jones, the team overall takes a step back.

 

[gman8343]

I agree TJ ran well yesterday but not well enough to win the game..We all can see what benson means to this team...peterson can play the role of TJ..benson deserves the shot next year. He's the better back..

What can we all see about Benson?

 

[BroadwayG]

I agree TJ ran well yesterday but not well enough to win the game..We all can see what benson means to this team...peterson can play the role of TJ..benson deserves the shot next year. He's the better back..

What can we all see about Benson?

He fumbles, cries, and gets injured. Perfect for the Bears.

 

[Banger]

I agree TJ ran well yesterday but not well enough to win the game..We all can see what benson means to this team...peterson can play the role of TJ..benson deserves the shot next year. He's the better back..

What can we all see about Benson?

He fumbles, cries, and gets injured. Perfect for the Bears.

and takes some hellacious hits...

 

[CalBear]

I hear Benson just has an MCL sprain, and those heal in a few weeks. Jones played well yesterday, and Lovie Smith abandoned the running game in the second half for the most part - not sure why he's saying they never got into a rhythm running the football - they didn't run it, and that's the playcalling, not TJ's fault.

Jones had 8 rushes in the second half, and three receptions. Considering how little the Bears possessed the ball, and that they were down by 12 for their three possessions in the fourth quarter, I don't think you can say that the Bears abandoned the running game. They only ran 13 plays in the third quarter, and Jones touched it on 6 of them.

 

[katar]

I agree TJ ran well yesterday but not well enough to win the game..We all can see what benson means to this team...peterson can play the role of TJ..benson deserves the shot next year. He's the better back..

What can we all see about Benson?

He fumbles, cries, and gets injured. Perfect for the Bears.

and takes some hellacious hits...

Yeah he got JACKED UP by Bob Sanders

 

[cstu]

I hear Benson just has an MCL sprain, and those heal in a few weeks. Jones played well yesterday, and Lovie Smith abandoned the running game in the second half for the most part - not sure why he's saying they never got into a rhythm running the football - they didn't run it, and that's the playcalling, not TJ's fault.

Jones had 8 rushes in the second half, and three receptions. Considering how little the Bears possessed the ball, and that they were down by 12 for their three possessions in the fourth quarter, I don't think you can say that the Bears abandoned the running game. They only ran 13 plays in the third quarter, and Jones touched it on 6 of them.

At the beginning of the 4th quarter the Bears had a very good shot at winning the game, thanks in large part to how TJ had played. You can't blame TJ for a INT returned for a TD at a crucial point in the game.

 

[David Dodds]

I agree TJ ran well yesterday but not well enough to win the game..We all can see what benson means to this team...peterson can play the role of TJ..benson deserves the shot next year. He's the better back..

What can we all see about Benson?

Exactly. I am not sold on Benson's game at all. Yes he runs hard, but I believe with a fraction of the vision Thomas Jones has. He is constantly getting hit because he doesn't cut. He runs where the hole is suppose to be. I have also said on many occassions that I think Benson is soft. It doesn't take much to get him off balance and go down. Many have argued with me so it could be my limited times seeing him. He is supposed to be a brusing back (in the form of Bettis, etc), but he is also undersized for that role in my opinion. I think this is a case where college stats don't equal NFL success. Players were smaller in college so Benson could easily be a bruiser. He could also bounce off the smaller bodies better. And he ran behind a great offensive line so he had a huge burst of speed built up before getting hit. I don't see this guy ever being very good on this team. I don't doubt that Jones goes and Benson is handed the starting job (based on dollars they are paying him), but I fully expect Benson to be a below-average back. Add the stuff about him not getting along with his team, etc and this has a bad ending written all over it.

 

[cstu]

I agree TJ ran well yesterday but not well enough to win the game..We all can see what benson means to this team...peterson can play the role of TJ..benson deserves the shot next year. He's the better back..

What can we all see about Benson?

Exactly. I am not sold on Benson's game at all. Yes he runs hard, but I believe with a fraction of the vision Thomas Jones has. He is constantly getting hit because he doesn't cut. He runs where the hole is suppose to be. I have also said on many occassions that I think Benson is soft. It doesn't take much to get him off balance and go down. Many have argued with me so it could be my limited times seeing him. He is supposed to be a brusing back (in the form of Bettis, etc), but he is also undersized for that role in my opinion. I think this is a case where college stats don't equal NFL success. Players were smaller in college so Benson could easily be a bruiser. He could also bounce off the smaller bodies better. And he ran behind a great offensive line so he had a huge burst of speed built up before getting hit. I don't see this guy ever being very good on this team. I don't doubt that Jones goes and Benson is handed the starting job (based on dollars they are paying him), but I fully expect Benson to be a below-average back. Add the stuff about him not getting along with his team, etc and this has a bad ending written all over it.

It just seemed odd to me that Benson keeps being annointed the 2007 starter when he hasn't performed nearly as well as TJ. In the playoffs alone it was TJ who carried the team, not Benson.Benson - 38 carries for 104 yards (2.7 YPC), 3 catches for 21 yards, 1 TD.

TJ - 55 carries for 301 yards (5.5 YPC), 9 catches for 54 yards, 4 TD's.

 

[FTRWRTR]

I'm sure I'm in the minority on this one but the more I see of benson the more I'm thinking he's a bust. He's no where near a play maker, I'd say he's more of a "3 yards and a cloud of dust guy". The problem with that is: 1) The bears didn't use their top pick in the '05 draft for someone like that and 2) even more importantly he doesn't have the size to be a type of grind it out rb and as a result gets hurt quite a bit and as dobbs said benson seems "soft". If the bears are smart they'd keep jones and trade away benson.

 

[Banger]

I agree TJ ran well yesterday but not well enough to win the game..We all can see what benson means to this team...peterson can play the role of TJ..benson deserves the shot next year. He's the better back..

What can we all see about Benson?

Exactly. I am not sold on Benson's game at all. Yes he runs hard, but I believe with a fraction of the vision Thomas Jones has. He is constantly getting hit because he doesn't cut. He runs where the hole is suppose to be. I have also said on many occassions that I think Benson is soft. It doesn't take much to get him off balance and go down. Many have argued with me so it could be my limited times seeing him. He is supposed to be a brusing back (in the form of Bettis, etc), but he is also undersized for that role in my opinion. I think this is a case where college stats don't equal NFL success. Players were smaller in college so Benson could easily be a bruiser. He could also bounce off the smaller bodies better. And he ran behind a great offensive line so he had a huge burst of speed built up before getting hit. I don't see this guy ever being very good on this team. I don't doubt that Jones goes and Benson is handed the starting job (based on dollars they are paying him), but I fully expect Benson to be a below-average back. Add the stuff about him not getting along with his team, etc and this has a bad ending written all over it.

It just seemed odd to me that Benson keeps being annointed the 2007 starter when he hasn't performed nearly as well as TJ. In the playoffs alone it was TJ who carried the team, not Benson.Benson - 38 carries for 104 yards (2.7 YPC), 3 catches for 21 yards, 1 TD.

TJ - 55 carries for 301 yards (5.5 YPC), 9 catches for 54 yards, 4 TD's.

it's based solely on the fact that he was a high draft pick and not on results.

 

[Hamstring]

Th eproblem is Jones is a lot older and slower than Bensen. He has played the role of bruiser, but his speed is better than Jones. Jones can't outrun anybody.

 

[guderian]

I agree TJ ran well yesterday but not well enough to win the game..We all can see what benson means to this team...peterson can play the role of TJ..benson deserves the shot next year. He's the better back..

What can we all see about Benson?

Exactly. I am not sold on Benson's game at all. Yes he runs hard, but I believe with a fraction of the vision Thomas Jones has. He is constantly getting hit because he doesn't cut. He runs where the hole is suppose to be. I have also said on many occassions that I think Benson is soft. It doesn't take much to get him off balance and go down. Many have argued with me so it could be my limited times seeing him. He is supposed to be a brusing back (in the form of Bettis, etc), but he is also undersized for that role in my opinion. I think this is a case where college stats don't equal NFL success. Players were smaller in college so Benson could easily be a bruiser. He could also bounce off the smaller bodies better. And he ran behind a great offensive line so he had a huge burst of speed built up before getting hit. I don't see this guy ever being very good on this team. I don't doubt that Jones goes and Benson is handed the starting job (based on dollars they are paying him), but I fully expect Benson to be a below-average back. Add the stuff about him not getting along with his team, etc and this has a bad ending written all over it.

It just seemed odd to me that Benson keeps being annointed the 2007 starter when he hasn't performed nearly as well as TJ. In the playoffs alone it was TJ who carried the team, not Benson.Benson - 38 carries for 104 yards (2.7 YPC), 3 catches for 21 yards, 1 TD.

TJ - 55 carries for 301 yards (5.5 YPC), 9 catches for 54 yards, 4 TD's.

it's based solely on the fact that he was a high draft pick and not on results.

If by "results" you mean 3 playoff games where Benson was injured in one of them and played a team (the Saints) that did well against bruising backs and was often burned by shiftier backs. If you look at season stats (a much more broader sample) you'll see that Benson's YPC was identical to Jones' 4.1. You'll also see that Benson averaged only 3.3 YPC in his first 8 games when he was used chaotically at best--games with zero or 1 carry followed by games with 10+ carries. However, in his last 8 games he averaged 4.7 YPC and was used much more consistently (9+ carries in 7 of 8 games).

Jones is a good back, but I also remember when he was called a bust with a bad attitude as the #7 pick. Jones' early career is very similar to Benson's, however Jones averaged a paltry 3.3 and 3.4 YPC in his first two years whereas Benson averaged 4.1 in both of his first two years. The criticism of Benson is not validated by his on-field performance.

 

[Sopranos]

If they dont bring Jones back they will be lucky to win 8 games.. IMO most would agree

 

[Fantasy_Freak]

Something else to remember is the rumored holdout last offseason to try and get a new contract. He skipped some voluntary workouts in what was rumored to be a holdout for a new contract. Maybe the Bears will see what they can get for him and if it brings them value they may unload Jones and Rosenhaus and let someone else worry about the potential holdout. With next season being Jones' contract season coupled with his age he may be looking for as much money as possible.

 

[Warhogs]

Something else to remember is the rumored holdout last offseason to try and get a new contract. He skipped some voluntary workouts in what was rumored to be a holdout for a new contract. Maybe the Bears will see what they can get for him and if it brings them value they may unload Jones and Rosenhaus and let someone else worry about the potential holdout. With next season being Jones' contract season coupled with his age he may be looking for as much money as possible.

I have been thinking about this too. I can't remember the exact details of last year but does anyone have any insight on the probability of Jones holding out/skipping mini camps again and what that might do to this situation. Without knowing I am guessing that if he held out the mini camps last season he might do so again?

 

[Kub]

Th eproblem is Jones is a lot older and slower than Bensen. He has played the role of bruiser, but his speed is better than Jones. Jones can't outrun anybody.

I'll admit I haven't seen them enough to know for certain, but Jones strikes me as the quicker of the two. Taking a further look, Cedric ran a 4.55 forty, while Jones' personal best is 4.41. Granted, that was probably years ago, but it still seems to me he plays faster than Benson.

 

[Beaumont]

Something else to remember is the rumored holdout last offseason to try and get a new contract. He skipped some voluntary workouts in what was rumored to be a holdout for a new contract. Maybe the Bears will see what they can get for him and if it brings them value they may unload Jones and Rosenhaus and let someone else worry about the potential holdout. With next season being Jones' contract season coupled with his age he may be looking for as much money as possible.

I do not doubt this is true ...

 

[ericttspikes]

Yes, Jones had a great playoff/Bowl run, but I'm not too sure how indispensible he is. He'll be 29 next year. He's got a whopping 4.0 per carry career average, never going over 4.6 in a season. He's NEVER caught an NFL TD. And after his first four seasons in the NFL was considered a colossal bust. If anything, his value will probably never be higher than coming off this post season run. If the Bears could get something for him, now is the time to move him.

I'm more worried about Cedric's propensity to be injured and his whack personality more than his running skills. Maybe for those reasons alone it is worth keeping TJ. I get a sense that people who don't watch many Bears games thinks Jones is a better back than he really is and that Cedric is a worse back than he really is. This year, other than the amount of carries, Benson and TJ had almost identical stats. Different runners, but similar results.

Although Peterson doesn't play with the power than Jones does, he should fit as a change of pace back and can more than fill in as the shifty runner to compliment Benson. If they ditch Jones, I'd suspect the Bears to look at another back in the draft somewhere. AP isn't exactly a youngster and I'd be concerned with Benson's durability to this point to not have some options.

 

[pinda]

I agree TJ ran well yesterday but not well enough to win the game..We all can see what benson means to this team...peterson can play the role of TJ..benson deserves the shot next year. He's the better back..

What can we all see about Benson?

He fumbles, cries, and gets injured. Perfect for the Bears.

and takes some hellacious hits...

Yeah he got JACKED UP by Bob Sanders

That's ok, he's used to it. Briggs and Urlacher jack him up in training camp/practice all the time.

 

[acefootball]

I agree TJ ran well yesterday but not well enough to win the game..We all can see what benson means to this team...peterson can play the role of TJ..benson deserves the shot next year. He's the better back..

What can we all see about Benson?

He fumbles, cries, and gets injured. Perfect for the Bears.

and takes some hellacious hits...

Yeah he got JACKED UP by Bob Sanders

That's ok, he's used to it. Briggs and Urlacher jack him up in training camp/practice all the time.

 

[Ryan_21]

I dont think Benson should be considered injury prone yet. The injury in the Superbowl yesterday was a freak accident. He fell awkwardly and a 230 lb LB fell on his leg and jammed it in an odd manner. In his last 6 years of football (4 in college, 2 in NFL) he has only had 3 injurys and all 3 were minor sprains in which he bounced back from in 2-3 weeks. All 3 injurys were flukes IMO, and his first knee sprain last year was a severe looking injury at the time and the results were minor, I think that is a testament to how tough and well conditioned and trained he is, because most Rbs wouldve blown out the knee completely. Adrian Peterson (the rookie) would be considered a much more injury concern to me and people are still very high on him.

Jones is a great player no doubt and his value is at the highest point it will ever be. If the Bears get any 2nd or 3rd round pick offers they would be stupid not to take it.

I also think Benson getting 25 carries a game and Peterson getting 10 as COP is a better combo than Jones getting 15 and Benson getting 15. Benson averaged 4.9 YPC over the last 7 games of the Reg season and in that stretch he was the Bears only bright spot most games as he was running over and through teams.

 

[flapgreen]

I agree TJ ran well yesterday but not well enough to win the game..We all can see what benson means to this team...peterson can play the role of TJ..benson deserves the shot next year. He's the better back..

It obviously took a lot more than TJ to win the game, and besides, he more than did his part.Maybe Benson can handle 25-30 carries a game, but can he also be an effective outlet for Grossman, and more importantly, block for Rex? Those latter attributes should not be underestimated, especially for a QB that needs all the help he can get.IMO, if they get rid of Jones, the team overall takes a step back.

I've seen nothing to show me Benson is better to this point. I'm not sure why some keep saying that.

 

[flapgreen]

I agree TJ ran well yesterday but not well enough to win the game..We all can see what benson means to this team...peterson can play the role of TJ..benson deserves the shot next year. He's the better back..

What can we all see about Benson?

Exactly. I am not sold on Benson's game at all. Yes he runs hard, but I believe with a fraction of the vision Thomas Jones has. He is constantly getting hit because he doesn't cut. He runs where the hole is suppose to be. I have also said on many occassions that I think Benson is soft. It doesn't take much to get him off balance and go down. Many have argued with me so it could be my limited times seeing him. He is supposed to be a brusing back (in the form of Bettis, etc), but he is also undersized for that role in my opinion. I think this is a case where college stats don't equal NFL success. Players were smaller in college so Benson could easily be a bruiser. He could also bounce off the smaller bodies better. And he ran behind a great offensive line so he had a huge burst of speed built up before getting hit. I don't see this guy ever being very good on this team. I don't doubt that Jones goes and Benson is handed the starting job (based on dollars they are paying him), but I fully expect Benson to be a below-average back. Add the stuff about him not getting along with his team, etc and this has a bad ending written all over it.

Unfortunately, i agree with this. Without question, I'd rather keep Jones. Not gonna happen though.

 

[flapgreen]

Th eproblem is Jones is a lot older and slower than Bensen. He has played the role of bruiser, but his speed is better than Jones. Jones can't outrun anybody.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Man, if the Bills could get TJ fairly cheaply, I'd love to see TJ and AT as the RBs in Buffalo next season. All of the Bears fans that can't wait to hand the job to Benson are going to be really sorry to see TJ go. I'd much rather have TJ getting the bulk of the carries with A-Train getting some as well than see McGahee keep running his mouth without backing it up year after year.

 

[Yitbos69]

I agree TJ ran well yesterday but not well enough to win the game..We all can see what benson means to this team...peterson can play the role of TJ..benson deserves the shot next year. He's the better back..

What can we all see about Benson?

Exactly. I am not sold on Benson's game at all. Yes he runs hard, but I believe with a fraction of the vision Thomas Jones has. He is constantly getting hit because he doesn't cut. He runs where the hole is suppose to be. I have also said on many occassions that I think Benson is soft. It doesn't take much to get him off balance and go down. Many have argued with me so it could be my limited times seeing him. He is supposed to be a brusing back (in the form of Bettis, etc), but he is also undersized for that role in my opinion. I think this is a case where college stats don't equal NFL success. Players were smaller in college so Benson could easily be a bruiser. He could also bounce off the smaller bodies better. And he ran behind a great offensive line so he had a huge burst of speed built up before getting hit. I don't see this guy ever being very good on this team. I don't doubt that Jones goes and Benson is handed the starting job (based on dollars they are paying him), but I fully expect Benson to be a below-average back. Add the stuff about him not getting along with his team, etc and this has a bad ending written all over it.

Unfortunately, i agree with this. Without question, I'd rather keep Jones. Not gonna happen though.

I don't understand why the bears would get rid of Jones. He is pretty cheap at 2.2 million and Benson is only costing them 620,000 for 2007. So for a starter and a back up you are paying 2.8 Million in 2007 that seems worth it.

 

[Banger]

I agree TJ ran well yesterday but not well enough to win the game..We all can see what benson means to this team...peterson can play the role of TJ..benson deserves the shot next year. He's the better back..

What can we all see about Benson?

Exactly. I am not sold on Benson's game at all. Yes he runs hard, but I believe with a fraction of the vision Thomas Jones has. He is constantly getting hit because he doesn't cut. He runs where the hole is suppose to be. I have also said on many occassions that I think Benson is soft. It doesn't take much to get him off balance and go down. Many have argued with me so it could be my limited times seeing him. He is supposed to be a brusing back (in the form of Bettis, etc), but he is also undersized for that role in my opinion. I think this is a case where college stats don't equal NFL success. Players were smaller in college so Benson could easily be a bruiser. He could also bounce off the smaller bodies better. And he ran behind a great offensive line so he had a huge burst of speed built up before getting hit. I don't see this guy ever being very good on this team. I don't doubt that Jones goes and Benson is handed the starting job (based on dollars they are paying him), but I fully expect Benson to be a below-average back. Add the stuff about him not getting along with his team, etc and this has a bad ending written all over it.

Unfortunately, i agree with this. Without question, I'd rather keep Jones. Not gonna happen though.

I don't understand why the bears would get rid of Jones. He is pretty cheap at 2.2 million and Benson is only costing them 620,000 for 2007. So for a starter and a back up you are paying 2.8 Million in 2007 that seems worth it.

I would guess that has to be one of the cheaper and more effective one-two punchs. Consider that Mike Anderson alone makes a bit over $2 mill as a backup as does Betts.

 

[mozzy84]

I dont think Benson should be considered injury prone yet. The injury in the Superbowl yesterday was a freak accident. He fell awkwardly and a 230 lb LB fell on his leg and jammed it in an odd manner. In his last 6 years of football (4 in college, 2 in NFL) he has only had 3 injurys and all 3 were minor sprains in which he bounced back from in 2-3 weeks. All 3 injurys were flukes IMO, and his first knee sprain last year was a severe looking injury at the time and the results were minor, I think that is a testament to how tough and well conditioned and trained he is, because most Rbs wouldve blown out the knee completely. Adrian Peterson (the rookie) would be considered a much more injury concern to me and people are still very high on him.

Jones is a great player no doubt and his value is at the highest point it will ever be. If the Bears get any 2nd or 3rd round pick offers they would be stupid not to take it.

I also think Benson getting 25 carries a game and Peterson getting 10 as COP is a better combo than Jones getting 15 and Benson getting 15. Benson averaged 4.9 YPC over the last 7 games of the Reg season and in that stretch he was the Bears only bright spot most games as he was running over and through teams.

does anyone actually think this will happen? What team would really want to give a draft pick and a big payday to Jones? I think he might have to play it out next year on the bears myself.

 

[cstu]

I agree TJ ran well yesterday but not well enough to win the game..We all can see what benson means to this team...peterson can play the role of TJ..benson deserves the shot next year. He's the better back..

What can we all see about Benson?

Exactly. I am not sold on Benson's game at all. Yes he runs hard, but I believe with a fraction of the vision Thomas Jones has. He is constantly getting hit because he doesn't cut. He runs where the hole is suppose to be. I have also said on many occassions that I think Benson is soft. It doesn't take much to get him off balance and go down. Many have argued with me so it could be my limited times seeing him. He is supposed to be a brusing back (in the form of Bettis, etc), but he is also undersized for that role in my opinion. I think this is a case where college stats don't equal NFL success. Players were smaller in college so Benson could easily be a bruiser. He could also bounce off the smaller bodies better. And he ran behind a great offensive line so he had a huge burst of speed built up before getting hit. I don't see this guy ever being very good on this team. I don't doubt that Jones goes and Benson is handed the starting job (based on dollars they are paying him), but I fully expect Benson to be a below-average back. Add the stuff about him not getting along with his team, etc and this has a bad ending written all over it.

Unfortunately, i agree with this. Without question, I'd rather keep Jones. Not gonna happen though.

I don't understand why the bears would get rid of Jones. He is pretty cheap at 2.2 million and Benson is only costing them 620,000 for 2007. So for a starter and a back up you are paying 2.8 Million in 2007 that seems worth it.

You're assuming that he won't hold out. Even Hines Ward threatened to sit out the final year of his contract so I won't be surprised if TJ does the same. I don't see TJ playing out his final year for $2.2M.

 

[cstu]

I dont think Benson should be considered injury prone yet. The injury in the Superbowl yesterday was a freak accident. He fell awkwardly and a 230 lb LB fell on his leg and jammed it in an odd manner. In his last 6 years of football (4 in college, 2 in NFL) he has only had 3 injurys and all 3 were minor sprains in which he bounced back from in 2-3 weeks. All 3 injurys were flukes IMO, and his first knee sprain last year was a severe looking injury at the time and the results were minor, I think that is a testament to how tough and well conditioned and trained he is, because most Rbs wouldve blown out the knee completely. Adrian Peterson (the rookie) would be considered a much more injury concern to me and people are still very high on him.

Jones is a great player no doubt and his value is at the highest point it will ever be. If the Bears get any 2nd or 3rd round pick offers they would be stupid not to take it.

I also think Benson getting 25 carries a game and Peterson getting 10 as COP is a better combo than Jones getting 15 and Benson getting 15. Benson averaged 4.9 YPC over the last 7 games of the Reg season and in that stretch he was the Bears only bright spot most games as he was running over and through teams.

does anyone actually think this will happen? What team would really want to give a draft pick and a big payday to Jones? I think he might have to play it out next year on the bears myself.

A 3rd round, maybe. A big payday to TJ is a lot different than it is to backs like Alexander and Edge. He'll probably get something similar to the 4 year/$10M deal he got when he signed with the Bears.

 

[AcerFC]

The only thing I want to add is that no one thought T Jones was any good in Arizona. Players need time to develop. Rarely will there be a guy that will bust out right away. Maybe Benson is a bust, maybe he is not. I dont think anyone can tell from what we have seen of him so far.

If T Jones can rebound and perform the way he has the past 2 season, anyone can (and I dont mean that to sound like its easy, because I sure cant- but you catch my drift)

 

[Banger]

The only thing I want to add is that no one thought T Jones was any good in Arizona. Players need time to develop. Rarely will there be a guy that will bust out right away. Maybe Benson is a bust, maybe he is not. I dont think anyone can tell from what we have seen of him so far. If T Jones can rebound and perform the way he has the past 2 season, anyone can (and I dont mean that to sound like its easy, because I sure cant- but you catch my drift)

There's a huge difference in their situations though. Jones was in AZ where even good RB's are sent to die while Benson has been in a winning program with decent/good line. The situations are apples/oranges IMO.

 

[cstu]

Updating a previous report, Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago Bears RB Cedric Benson (knee) believes he suffered a sprained MCL to his left knee during Super Bowl XLI and he will undergo an MRI Tuesday, Feb. 6, to confirm the severity of the injury. The injury is not expected to be serious.Any new updates on his knee?

Sounds like if it's just a sprained MCL he'll be fine for next season since those usually take about 12 weeks to heal.

 

[Yitbos69]

I agree TJ ran well yesterday but not well enough to win the game..We all can see what benson means to this team...peterson can play the role of TJ..benson deserves the shot next year. He's the better back..

What can we all see about Benson?

Exactly. I am not sold on Benson's game at all. Yes he runs hard, but I believe with a fraction of the vision Thomas Jones has. He is constantly getting hit because he doesn't cut. He runs where the hole is suppose to be. I have also said on many occassions that I think Benson is soft. It doesn't take much to get him off balance and go down. Many have argued with me so it could be my limited times seeing him. He is supposed to be a brusing back (in the form of Bettis, etc), but he is also undersized for that role in my opinion. I think this is a case where college stats don't equal NFL success. Players were smaller in college so Benson could easily be a bruiser. He could also bounce off the smaller bodies better. And he ran behind a great offensive line so he had a huge burst of speed built up before getting hit. I don't see this guy ever being very good on this team. I don't doubt that Jones goes and Benson is handed the starting job (based on dollars they are paying him), but I fully expect Benson to be a below-average back. Add the stuff about him not getting along with his team, etc and this has a bad ending written all over it.

Unfortunately, i agree with this. Without question, I'd rather keep Jones. Not gonna happen though.

I don't understand why the bears would get rid of Jones. He is pretty cheap at 2.2 million and Benson is only costing them 620,000 for 2007. So for a starter and a back up you are paying 2.8 Million in 2007 that seems worth it.

You're assuming that he won't hold out. Even Hines Ward threatened to sit out the final year of his contract so I won't be surprised if TJ does the same. I don't see TJ playing out his final year for $2.2M.

I just don't see how holding out would help TJ situation. When you have a young back who was a high pick in the draft behind you....TJ would be shooting himself in the foot if he held out

 

[gman8343]

I agree TJ ran well yesterday but not well enough to win the game..We all can see what benson means to this team...peterson can play the role of TJ..benson deserves the shot next year. He's the better back..

What can we all see about Benson?

Exactly. I am not sold on Benson's game at all. Yes he runs hard, but I believe with a fraction of the vision Thomas Jones has. He is constantly getting hit because he doesn't cut. He runs where the hole is suppose to be. I have also said on many occassions that I think Benson is soft. It doesn't take much to get him off balance and go down. Many have argued with me so it could be my limited times seeing him. He is supposed to be a brusing back (in the form of Bettis, etc), but he is also undersized for that role in my opinion. I think this is a case where college stats don't equal NFL success. Players were smaller in college so Benson could easily be a bruiser. He could also bounce off the smaller bodies better. And he ran behind a great offensive line so he had a huge burst of speed built up before getting hit. I don't see this guy ever being very good on this team. I don't doubt that Jones goes and Benson is handed the starting job (based on dollars they are paying him), but I fully expect Benson to be a below-average back. Add the stuff about him not getting along with his team, etc and this has a bad ending written all over it.

Unfortunately, i agree with this. Without question, I'd rather keep Jones. Not gonna happen though.

I don't understand why the bears would get rid of Jones. He is pretty cheap at 2.2 million and Benson is only costing them 620,000 for 2007. So for a starter and a back up you are paying 2.8 Million in 2007 that seems worth it.

You're assuming that he won't hold out. Even Hines Ward threatened to sit out the final year of his contract so I won't be surprised if TJ does the same. I don't see TJ playing out his final year for $2.2M.

I just don't see how holding out would help TJ situation. When you have a young back who was a high pick in the draft behind you....TJ would be shooting himself in the foot if he held out

He may try and force a trade - he has one last chance at getting a big pay day, and then it'll be too late. It's this season or never, plus it can't be comfortable with Benson getting more and more playing time and many are saying he'll be handed the reigns next season. If he refuses to play, they may just grant his wish. It's worked for players before (Javon Walker). I wouldn't be surprised if he did hold out.

 

[Yitbos69]

I agree TJ ran well yesterday but not well enough to win the game..We all can see what benson means to this team...peterson can play the role of TJ..benson deserves the shot next year. He's the better back..

What can we all see about Benson?

Exactly. I am not sold on Benson's game at all. Yes he runs hard, but I believe with a fraction of the vision Thomas Jones has. He is constantly getting hit because he doesn't cut. He runs where the hole is suppose to be. I have also said on many occassions that I think Benson is soft. It doesn't take much to get him off balance and go down. Many have argued with me so it could be my limited times seeing him. He is supposed to be a brusing back (in the form of Bettis, etc), but he is also undersized for that role in my opinion. I think this is a case where college stats don't equal NFL success. Players were smaller in college so Benson could easily be a bruiser. He could also bounce off the smaller bodies better. And he ran behind a great offensive line so he had a huge burst of speed built up before getting hit. I don't see this guy ever being very good on this team. I don't doubt that Jones goes and Benson is handed the starting job (based on dollars they are paying him), but I fully expect Benson to be a below-average back. Add the stuff about him not getting along with his team, etc and this has a bad ending written all over it.

Unfortunately, i agree with this. Without question, I'd rather keep Jones. Not gonna happen though.

I don't understand why the bears would get rid of Jones. He is pretty cheap at 2.2 million and Benson is only costing them 620,000 for 2007. So for a starter and a back up you are paying 2.8 Million in 2007 that seems worth it.

You're assuming that he won't hold out. Even Hines Ward threatened to sit out the final year of his contract so I won't be surprised if TJ does the same. I don't see TJ playing out his final year for $2.2M.

I just don't see how holding out would help TJ situation. When you have a young back who was a high pick in the draft behind you....TJ would be shooting himself in the foot if he held out

He may try and force a trade - he has one last chance at getting a big pay day, and then it'll be too late. It's this season or never, plus it can't be comfortable with Benson getting more and more playing time and many are saying he'll be handed the reigns next season. If he refuses to play, they may just grant his wish. It's worked for players before (Javon Walker). I wouldn't be surprised if he did hold out.

Walker is a Young WR with a lot of years ahead of him.....TJ is heading into his 8th season and has never been Great....he is an avg. RB who will be 29 at the begining of the season. I don't see very many Team that would be willing to give him a long term contract or pay him more than the Bears. That said he may hold out I just don't see it working out for him.Edit to say:

Walker is Just two months younger than TJ(with three less season under his belt) WR have a longer shelf life but I am suprised that Walker and TJ are pretty much the same age.

 

[Warhogs]

I agree TJ ran well yesterday but not well enough to win the game..We all can see what benson means to this team...peterson can play the role of TJ..benson deserves the shot next year. He's the better back..

What can we all see about Benson?

Exactly. I am not sold on Benson's game at all. Yes he runs hard, but I believe with a fraction of the vision Thomas Jones has. He is constantly getting hit because he doesn't cut. He runs where the hole is suppose to be. I have also said on many occassions that I think Benson is soft. It doesn't take much to get him off balance and go down. Many have argued with me so it could be my limited times seeing him. He is supposed to be a brusing back (in the form of Bettis, etc), but he is also undersized for that role in my opinion. I think this is a case where college stats don't equal NFL success. Players were smaller in college so Benson could easily be a bruiser. He could also bounce off the smaller bodies better. And he ran behind a great offensive line so he had a huge burst of speed built up before getting hit. I don't see this guy ever being very good on this team. I don't doubt that Jones goes and Benson is handed the starting job (based on dollars they are paying him), but I fully expect Benson to be a below-average back. Add the stuff about him not getting along with his team, etc and this has a bad ending written all over it.

Unfortunately, i agree with this. Without question, I'd rather keep Jones. Not gonna happen though.

I don't understand why the bears would get rid of Jones. He is pretty cheap at 2.2 million and Benson is only costing them 620,000 for 2007. So for a starter and a back up you are paying 2.8 Million in 2007 that seems worth it.

You're assuming that he won't hold out. Even Hines Ward threatened to sit out the final year of his contract so I won't be surprised if TJ does the same. I don't see TJ playing out his final year for $2.2M.

I just don't see how holding out would help TJ situation. When you have a young back who was a high pick in the draft behind you....TJ would be shooting himself in the foot if he held out

This is what was being said here during mini camp last year when thomas Jones did not show up for camp. If Jones skipped mini camp last season due to his contract when Benson was pushing him I don't know why anyone would be surprised if he would do this again.

 

[gman8343]

I just don't see how holding out would help TJ situation. When you have a young back who was a high pick in the draft behind you....TJ would be shooting himself in the foot if he held out

He may try and force a trade - he has one last chance at getting a big pay day, and then it'll be too late. It's this season or never, plus it can't be comfortable with Benson getting more and more playing time and many are saying he'll be handed the reigns next season. If he refuses to play, they may just grant his wish. It's worked for players before (Javon Walker). I wouldn't be surprised if he did hold out.

Walker is a Young WR with a lot of years ahead of him.....TJ is heading into his 8th season and has never been Great....he is an avg. RB who will be 29 at the begining of the season. I don't see very many Team that would be willing to give him a long term contract or pay him more than the Bears. That said he may hold out I just don't see it working out for him.Edit to say:Walker is Just two months younger than TJ(with three less season under his belt) WR have a longer shelf life but I am suprised that Walker and TJ are pretty much the same age.

There are a few teams that could use the services of a guy like Jones. Giants, Jets, etc. And I would say he's an above average runner - not great, but not average. He can get the job done. He won't break the bank, but he may be able to get more than what the Bears are paying him and nail down a starting gig instead of possibly riding the pine.

 

[Yitbos69]

I agree TJ ran well yesterday but not well enough to win the game..We all can see what benson means to this team...peterson can play the role of TJ..benson deserves the shot next year. He's the better back..

What can we all see about Benson?

Exactly. I am not sold on Benson's game at all. Yes he runs hard, but I believe with a fraction of the vision Thomas Jones has. He is constantly getting hit because he doesn't cut. He runs where the hole is suppose to be. I have also said on many occassions that I think Benson is soft. It doesn't take much to get him off balance and go down. Many have argued with me so it could be my limited times seeing him. He is supposed to be a brusing back (in the form of Bettis, etc), but he is also undersized for that role in my opinion. I think this is a case where college stats don't equal NFL success. Players were smaller in college so Benson could easily be a bruiser. He could also bounce off the smaller bodies better. And he ran behind a great offensive line so he had a huge burst of speed built up before getting hit. I don't see this guy ever being very good on this team. I don't doubt that Jones goes and Benson is handed the starting job (based on dollars they are paying him), but I fully expect Benson to be a below-average back. Add the stuff about him not getting along with his team, etc and this has a bad ending written all over it.

Unfortunately, i agree with this. Without question, I'd rather keep Jones. Not gonna happen though.

I don't understand why the bears would get rid of Jones. He is pretty cheap at 2.2 million and Benson is only costing them 620,000 for 2007. So for a starter and a back up you are paying 2.8 Million in 2007 that seems worth it.

You're assuming that he won't hold out. Even Hines Ward threatened to sit out the final year of his contract so I won't be surprised if TJ does the same. I don't see TJ playing out his final year for $2.2M.

I just don't see how holding out would help TJ situation. When you have a young back who was a high pick in the draft behind you....TJ would be shooting himself in the foot if he held out

This is what was being said here during mini camp last year when thomas Jones did not show up for camp. If Jones skipped mini camp last season due to his contract when Benson was pushing him I don't know why anyone would be surprised if he would do this again.

Was he skipping Camp to push for a new contract? If so how did that work out for him?

 

[guderian]

The only thing I want to add is that no one thought T Jones was any good in Arizona. Players need time to develop. Rarely will there be a guy that will bust out right away. Maybe Benson is a bust, maybe he is not. I dont think anyone can tell from what we have seen of him so far.

If T Jones can rebound and perform the way he has the past 2 season, anyone can (and I dont mean that to sound like its easy, because I sure cant- but you catch my drift)

There's a huge difference in their situations though. Jones was in AZ where even good RB's are sent to die while Benson has been in a winning program with decent/good line. The situations are apples/oranges IMO.

...and Benson has put up the same yards per carry average as Jones...

 

[mr. furley]

why does this same topic come up twice a week?

 

[Da Guru]

Just from watching Bear games Jones seems to be the much better back.